Final 12 months, I got here to you with a humble plea: Assist! What’s for lunch? I used to be feeling caught, and CoJ commenters provided 500+ superb concepts. To return the favor, I wished to share a supremely straightforward lunch in my present rotation…

Welcome to the stage…bowl of steamed edamame. In contrast to the greens in my fridge which might be previous their prime or want time within the oven, a bag of frozen, shelled edamame is at all times fortunately ready within the freezer to be known as up for a random weekday lunch.

Edamame is a good supply of protein and fiber, so I’m not hungry once more seven seconds later. Whereas I’m boiling water and ready for the edamame to steam, I’ll normally seize no matter I’ve within the fridge (cilantro, half a cucumber, carrots, leftover rice), plus a bit of soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sesame oil. But when I’m in a rush, haven’t grocery shopped in endlessly, or discover myself texting whereas the water boils, it’s additionally satisfying with simply flaky salt and chili crunch oil. The right facet: rice crackers.

Hetty Lui McKinnon as soon as shared a easy recipe for ginger and cumin spiced edamame. “My freezer at all times incorporates two or three or perhaps 4 baggage of edamame beans, simply in case the craving strikes,” she wrote. Joanna advised me that for years she’s been making the extraordinarily straightforward parmesan, mint, and edamame salad (#35) from Mark Bittman’s checklist of 101 picnic concepts. “Don’t neglect the lemon,” she texted. Famous!

On the subject of straightforward lunches, I requested Adam Roberts what he’s been having. “Currently I’ve been making dip salads,” he stated. “If I’ve a cocktail party on Wednesday night time and I make a beet dip with beets and yogurt, the following day I’ll schmear a few of that dip on to plates and make a salad with beets, apples, pecans, and goat cheese and pile it on high of the dip. Identical factor works with hummus and a tomato-onion-cucumber combine or a French onion dip and a wedge salad.”

I’ve to say, Adam’s salad seems to be like one thing I’d fortunately pay means an excessive amount of for at a restaurant. I just like the “schmear + salad” template.

So, inform me, is there a standout in your lunch rotation? I’m additionally a fan of this could of lentils with recent bread from the bakery close to my home.

P.S. Three straightforward weekday lunches and Joanna’s present hyperfixation meal.

(High photograph from Lena Corwin’s residence tour. Meals pictures by Adam and me.)